Khalid a ‘firm’ MB who helped Selangor prosper: leaders

SHAH ALAM – Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is not only known as a former menteri besar who helped propel Selangor to prosperity, but also as a leader who firmly governed the state.

Paying their tributes to the late Khalid, politicians from both sides of the political divide hailed the former banker-turned-politician for his tenacity and dedication in his work as an astute state administrator.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said Khalid was also a leader who prioritised timeliness and integrity in any process.

Amirudin said the state assembly meeting today was postponed today to make way for Khalid's burial at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum.

“The state government extends its deepest condolences to all family members and friends in hopes they will find solace and patience in this difficult time. May his soul be blessed,” he told reporters when met at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz mosque here this afternoon.

“I also wish to extend my personal gratitude to him for his contributions to the country.”

Khalid died late yesterday evening at the Cardiac Vascular Central Hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

The 75-year-old passed away in the company of his family and loved ones, and is survived by his widow, four children, and two grandchildren.

The late legendary banker, who was instrumental in Malaysia’s 1981 “Dawn Raid” which saw the nation take over then British firm Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd at the London Stock Exchange, had been hospitalised since April 23 due to a heart infection.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok told The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister publication Getaran that she was extremely saddened by the leader’s departure, which would be felt by the people, especially the residents of Selangor.

Teresa said during his time in office, Khalid helped stabilise the opposition bloc while it was known as Pakatan Rakyat, and raised Selangor’s profile in Southeast Asia.

“I still remember how he used his specialisation in managing (banking) accounts and corporations for the administration of Selangor. At the time, he successfully stabilised state subsidiaries that were facing big losses," she said.

“Khalid made an audit of all state subsidiaries and met with company directors and funders. 

“His administration (style) is still being carried out until today and he played a pivotal role in the Selangor government.”

Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had also arrived at the Shah Alam Royal Mausoleum to pay his last respects to the late Khalid, arriving at the site at around 1.50pm this afternoon.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak hailed Khalid for looking beyond partisan politics, especially with regard to the water supply problems faced in Selangor.

Najib said in February 2014, Khalid took the “brave” step of signing a memorandum of understanding with the federal government on the restructuring of Selangor’s water supply and approval of the Langat 2 water treatment plant, as well as the supply of untreated water from Pahang, despite facing a backlash from the opposition politicians.

Najib claimed the steps Khalid took led to his removal from the menteri besar post and from his political party.

"The late Tan Sri (Abdul) Khalid Ibrahim must be given full credit as the Klang Valley will not experience water rationing for the next 10 to 20 years,” Najib said in a Facebook post.

“The water MoU and the projects were still carried out by the Selangor government after he was fired as the Selangor MB – proof that his decision to set aside rigid politics for the sake of the Klang Valley residents was an accurate one.” – The Vibes, August 1, 2022

Additional reporting by A. Azim Idris